The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-06-08
NAVAL COURT MARTIAL
COMMENCED THIS MORNING BE-
FORE ACTING CONSUL HOARE
To Inquire Into the Cause Of the
Collision Between the Celtic
and Britannia.

NEW YokK, June THE naval
court martial was commenced this
morning before Acting Consul Hoare,
to inquire into the cause OF the COL
lision between the Celtic and Bitan-
mic, both belonging to the White Star
Line Steamship Company, whereby
much damage was done and many
lives we're imperiled. The following
were members of the court OF inquiry ::
VIM. Robert Hoare, Capt McMicken
OF the Umbria, Capt. John p. Purvis,
and Capt. Fred Archer OF the Tower
Hill.
Capt. Perry OF the Britannia was the
first witness. He said the collision
occurred about $40 miles from New
York. The weather had BEEN fair up
to within short time of the collision.
He continued: Il did not hear the
Celtic's whistle until few minutes
before we struck her, which was at
$50 o'clock pm. The interval be-
tween the whistle and seeing the Gel
tic did not exceed half a minute. I
only heard the whistle once. There
was no wind, and the Biittanic WAS
going fifteen knets. There was moth
ing unsual in going at such speed in
such weather. The rate vi speed was
Immediately decreased; man was
stationed at the whistle and extra
lookouts put on. Wewere shut up in
thick fog which was closing in upon us.
Second Officer Mckenzie and Fourth
Officer Legget were on the bridge in
charge at the time and / was in the
chartroom. We were in clear water
within few moments OF time of the
collision. The sound of the whistle
which was heard about seven minutes
before striking appeared to be about
seven miles distant. Did not think
the vessel was the Celtic. When
saw the boat three points away on our
port side / rang FIVE times, which
meant Full speed, do the best you
cam" and endeavored to clear the
Celtic. Half a minute tfter seeing the
Celtic the collision occurred. / did
not consider the fog such as to require
decrease of speed. Immediately aft.
or the collision it was reported to me
that No. 4 compartment was full OF
water. The first orders given were:
stations, everybody man the boats.
women first" One hundred and eight
persons were transferred to the Gel.
tic. Sixty were women and children
and the remainder men. Ny crew
behaved very we'll. The captain of
the Celtic arranged to stay by me.
Three passengers were killed and
eight were injured, belonging to the
Britannia. They were lying on deck
baskiDg in the sun. The killed were
decently buried at sea and the injured
brought to New York.
Ere derrick Sturges, of New Yo,k, q
PASSENGER on the Britannia, was the
next witness. He said it was not foggy
before the collision for an hour pre-
vioue. The weather was "sputty"-
that lie, the vessel went now and then
into light clouds. Toward 5 O'Clock
the weather looked darker in advance.
After 5 o'clock we heard o fog whistle
in the distance. At the same time I
saw the lookout signal on the bridge.
AT the same moment an ncer stepped
from the bridge to the chartroom and
Capt. Perry came out. Again heard
the whistle, which appeared to be
passing away. At that moment a
mast appeared on the port bow and
saw the name Celtic. La another mo.
ment they collided.
James Bennett Mckenzie was
sworn and said he was second officer
of the Britannia, and had charge of
the steamer at the time OF accident.
Was at tea when the first whistle was
heard; the fourth officer was on the
bridge, and was really in charge.
went below at 5 o'clock, when it was
clear; when / came on deck twenty
minutes after it wss hszy. l could
see from tive to three miles away.
The fog cane right down on us. l
could see two miles away when the
first whistle was heard. The ship was
going from thirteen to fourteen knots.
When l came out / ordered the fog
whistle at minute intervals. The
whistle wss not being blown when 1
came on deck. This was more than
five minutes before the collision. The
first whistle heard was ten minutes
before the collision, seven minutes
btfore the vessel was seen. On first
hearing the whistle l ordered to
port helm The first whistle was
slightly on the port bow. Finally the
captain said: "Bring her up to the
course again." When l first saw the
Celtic she was three-qusrters of a
mile away. We gave signals to show
that our course was directed
to starboard on port helm. The
order was given to give short blasts,
signifYing port helm. Capt Perry in
terrupted the witness II don't believe
the order was given" The Celtic sig.
nale in answer signifed starboard
helm. Britannia headed south south
east and the Celtic about southwest at
the time OF collision
Horace Legget, fourth officer, was
next examined. Whistle was heard
on the starbcard and as the fog was
coming on thick sent for second officer
at once. We gave a signal to show
what course we were taking but can
not saw what the signal was, Joseph